Hi...I have two 7 month old fillys from different breeders, one of them is quite happy to be on her own, but Star on the otherhand is literally trying to jump barbed wire fences to get to Amber even if we take her out the field for a nano second! Im just concerned with the future when they are old enough to train its obviously not going to be possible to train two at the same time but im am worried about Star and how she will react having to go solo for any reason...any advice?Posted via Mobile Device

Welcome to HF 😊! I'm glad to see you came back and asked your question. I am going to leave this up to the more experienced members. I am sure someone will be along soon to help you.Posted via Mobile Device

Do you have a way to separate them into two loose boxes for a part of the day? This cannot be a loose box with only the bottom of a Dutch Door.

I would separate them into separate stalls over night (in winter) and the hottest part of the day (in summer). I would put one up while working with the other one too so they can understand that they may be together in the pasture but can be separated and be fine too. Working they need to learn to focus on YOU and not the where abouts of the other horse/foal.

Elana's suggestion is very good- separating them in a safe way now is going to be an important step of their training. I would add something positive to it to help them build up to the idea that being apart isn't without its perks. What are you feeding them? If they're getting some grain or a hard feed, I would switch to only giving them that portion of their food when they're separated so they have something to look forward to in the situation. If not grain, maybe a couple carrots or the like. Given they're young, being worried about being alone in the field or leaving their buddy is normal. They have neither the natural confidence nor the training to accept it quietly yet when their instinct are shouting at them that a lone horse might become something's dinner.

The truth of the matter is that their training has started with you already. Even if you're not saddling them up and teaching riding skills, every interaction you have with them is a training and learning experience. Use that to your advantage to work on manners, groundwork, skills like moving off of pressure, and of course, learning to deal with the other horse being gone for a bit.

Do they both know how to tie properly and calmly yet? If not, I would work on that (LOTS of good threads on how to do that here if you use the search box). That way, even if you don't have a stall, you could tie one horse while you work the other. Start off staying nearby and gradually move further off and then out of sight until you know that the one who is tied won't freak out and hurt herself while you're away working the other.

Welcome to HF! If you have a way to take them, we LOVE pictures around here and would be thrilled if you wanted to share some! :)

Elana's suggestion is very good- separating them in a safe way now is going to be an important step of their training. I would add something positive to it to help them build up to the idea that being apart isn't without its perks. What are you feeding them? If they're getting some grain or a hard feed, I would switch to only giving them that portion of their food when they're separated so they have something to look forward to in the situation. If not grain, maybe a couple carrots or the like. Given they're young, being worried about being alone in the field or leaving their buddy is normal. They have neither the natural confidence nor the training to accept it quietly yet when their instinct are shouting at them that a lone horse might become something's dinner.

The truth of the matter is that their training has started with you already. Even if you're not saddling them up and teaching riding skills, every interaction you have with them is a training and learning experience. Use that to your advantage to work on manners, groundwork, skills like moving off of pressure, and of course, learning to deal with the other horse being gone for a bit.

Do they both know how to tie properly and calmly yet? If not, I would work on that (LOTS of good threads on how to do that here if you use the search box). That way, even if you don't have a stall, you could tie one horse while you work the other. Start off staying nearby and gradually move further off and then out of sight until you know that the one who is tied won't freak out and hurt herself while you're away working the other.

Welcome to HF! If you have a way to take them, we LOVE pictures around here and would be thrilled if you wanted to share some! :)

Thankyou everyone for your help :) wwe have separated them for a few minutes while my friend takes Star for a walk and I keep Amber with me while I pick her feet and groom her...they were both fine with it besides a little shouting but no bad behaviour otherwise...we are going to continue with this but obviously stretch it out for longer periods of time..they can both stand tied up with no fuss which makes things easier :) but other than that we dont have a separate stable to put one in over night..but will be getting more built in the summer :) Star has calmed down alot and seems much more settled im very pleased with her progress :) ill pop up a pic of them both...thanks again peoplePosted via Mobile Device

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